Strict inspection on the main trade road, Three Pagoda Pass-Kyainnseikyi in Karen State

Independent Mon News Agency

Due to frequent clashes between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) joint forces and the (State Administrative Council – SAC) military forces this month, both sides have tightened checks on vehicles carrying both passengers and goods, according to people using the main trade road, Three Pagoda Pass-Kyainnseikyi in Karen State.

As the military confrontation occurred on 15th and 16th October between the KNLA Joint Forces and SAC troops clashed near Tagay Village, Kyainnseikyi Township, 6 soldiers of SAC troops killed and 16 others were captured.

“Since the joint KNLA forces attacked the pyaya-thaung base, the situation has worsened. The KNLA and the People’s Defense Forces worried that the Burmese soldiers will travel in civilian clothes. They checked more because they were afraid that the weapons would be hidden. I have been using this main road for over 10 years. Now, the situation is getting worst and worst,” said Nai Win (not his real name), a trader.

Rumors are spreading that the KNLA joint force will take over Three Pagoda Pass (Payathonsu) town, and the inspection and searching at the town check-point by the SAC Burmese soldiers i has worsened and intensed.

“They checked everyone.  They asked many questions.  They also checked every bags and packages. They also frightened women. The situation has never been bad like,” said a female passenger, explaining the situation in the entrance of Three Pagoda Pass town.

Last September 28, the KNLA joint forces attacked the SAC camp, pyaya-thaung base, 15 kilometers from Three Pagoda Pass Town, which is under Kya-inn-seikyi Township, killing 11 soldiers, including the deputy battalion commander of the SAC’s LIB 283 Battalion. In revenge to this the incident, the SAC Air Force bombed the Maktha camp of the 6th KNLA Brigade on October 6, burning down the monastery and killing 2 monks.

Three Pagoda Pass (Payathonsu) town is under administration of Kya-inn-seikyi Township and is a border town connecting to Kanchanaburi Province in Thailand. Through this border, goods flow into Mon State and Karen State, especially from two main roads, from Three Pagoda Pass to Thanbyuzayat Town in Mon State and to Kya-inn-seikyi Township, in Karen State respectively.